christians ONLY please:"it takes stronger FAITH to believe without evidence"?

Question

please read to the END ok :) i see many christians saying the above in response to questions about evidence of God.my Q is,when you have a belief like this that's not based on scientific evidence,on what BASIS do you say that YOUR belief is more valid than that of a ,for e.g. hindu?

can you DISprove their existence?
do you have stronger evidence to prove the existence of God than all the hindu deities?
assuming you're trying to "save" a hindu who completely believes that the deities he worships are the TRUE ones,and who believes that it was HIS deities who created the world (so the gratitude theory won't work!)and who believe that his is the ONE true way and that if YOU don't believe in it YOU'RE going to hell (note:never actually met a hindu who's so pushy-just an example)

QUESTION:what valid argument are you going to use to him to actually convince that yours is the one true way?

bible scriptures are doubtful because he has his OWN
texts...how would you make it REAL?

" I can point out evidence, that would satisfy a Hindu, not evidence that would satisfy a hard core atheist. "

so please POINT OUT your evidence....whether or not it's SATISFYING is for the ASKER to decide

Answer 1

Just stopping by for two points, enjoy your conversation.


wow... it sure is quiet in here...

okay, now I have to comment. These christians are not answering the question in a manner appropriate to the question. You asked for an argument that would explain why their book is right and the Hindu book is wrong. All they do is spout bible verses.

People, that is NOT an effective argument. Someone who has faith in their book that is just as strong as you have in YOUR book will not accept that as a reason to change faiths, they'll just think YOU are misguided and hopelessly WRONG! What you need is a solid ARGUMENT from verifiable sources that PROVE your way is RIGHT!

Think of it this way, if you want to get to level 4 in YA, you have to answer questions. This is verifiably true, because it can be proven to be the only way to get to level 4. If they are on level one, and all they do is ask questions (as may be their belief about getting to level 4) then you can show them that the more questions they ask, the fewer points they end up with. Then you have them answer a few questions and watch their point totals grow. This is solid proof that answering questions will eventually get you to level 4, while only asking questions only takes you further from it.

Christians, what proof do you have that YOUR holy book is right? Can you count the number of people that have made it into heaven? Can you produce routinely answered prayers that happen the way you ask? Can you prove that YOUR god will actually DO the things you say it will, and theirs WONT?

If all you have is faith, then in reality you have NOTHING that anyone of any other faith doesn't.

Answer 2

First, as a Christian, I would never have said "It takes a stronger faith to believe without the evidence." There is substantial evidence to prove the existence of God, and of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, the very definition given in the Bible for faith is that it is the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." That is, faith is the conviction that comes because of the evidence that proves the basis of its belief. It would take way too much space to give all that evidence, and besides, it has already been done by very competent people like Lee Strobel and Josh McDowell.

You ask a series of questions that need to be addressed. So let's take them one at a time. "can you DISprove their existence?
do you have stronger evidence to prove the existence of God than all the hindu deities?" The answer to the first question is no. To disprove the existence of their gods would mean to disprove the existence of God. For the Hindus have taken many of the attributes of God and assigned them to different entities. The second part of the question is easier. Yes, there is stronger evidence for the existence of God than for the various Hindu deities.

This evidence has several foundations: logic, philosophy, creation, theology. Let me give just some basic evidence. First, the Hindus have no cohesive view of God. Some branches hold to one god, others to millions of gods, others to no god at all. One would have to deal with each Hindu sect to answer this question. However, proving the Christian God is much easier. There are the classical proofs for the existence of God - teleological, cosmological, ontological, etc. The existence of a created universe that fits the scientific evidence far better than Hinduism or evolution. The arguments from nature - see C. S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity." etc. etc. etc.

As far as a Hindu believing that "you would go to hell," that is doubtful, since their belief system is more of a philosophy, for the most part. Also, those who might seek to convert someone would not talk about hell because of their belief in being reincarnated until one becomes one with the divine.

Answer 3

You are asking for proof for something that cannot be proven. When Christians share their faith (excluding the wackos) they are sharing their own experience of God. As a priest I once knew would say all of the time, "the power of God working in their lives." And of course they might back that up from the bible.

Now, I have never really had a religious discussion with a person who follows the hindu religion. Maybe they would take the same approach, experience plus texts. And then I guess it either comes to an impass where the parties agree to disagree or one becomes convinced of the other's point of view.

Either way I think the most important thing is to let your life be a witness. If you are a pushy jerk saying mean spirited things, who is going to believe that you know anything about the Truth of God.

Answer 4

I could point out that the Holy Bible is a very accurate historical document. Kings, locations, geography, etc. in the Bible have been proved true. Prophecies have been fulfilled, not just about Jesus as The Christ, but about Israel becoming a nation again, Egypt not becoming very powerful ever again, Israel being able to defend itself against larger and more powerful armies, etc.

For me though, my faith is based on my own personal experiences. When nothing else was able to help me, God did. I didn't even know I needed help, that something was missing. This might not convince anyone, but I don't think that is my job. I'm only supposed to "plant a seed" and hope that person will allow God to do the rest.

God Bless.

Answer 5

If you had proof,it wouldn't be faith and it wouldn't mean anything. Trust doesn't mean anything either if you already know for a fact you are not going to be let down. It's all a very simple concept,but way,way,way over the head of any atheist simply becuase their capacities for understanding are limited to the non-abstract. They can't think in the abstract at all. Just physical objects. That's why they're so crudely materialistic. That's also why they exhibit an equally keen contempt for any other abstract concept - honor,decency,dignity,etc. They pretend to barf when you mention things like that,and it isn't because they think values are "corny". It's just that they don't even know what they are in the first place. They aren't objects. You can't take a picture,put it under a microscope,no such object as "decency". They're just completely one-dimensional. That's why I can tolerate a pagan or wiccan or a member of another religion altogether sooner than I can abide an hour with a flathead. At least they think in three dimensions. Athiests have no more capacity for abstract thought than an insect.

Answer 6

This is a debate that would involve the theosophy's of two different theologians.
Neither one of the two debaters would use science as a basis for the beliefs held.
A Jewish man, or a Christian man would more than likely use the written text, as much as a Hindu would.
However I believe that we Christians would have a better sense of historicity to validate our claims.The roots and trunk of our religion is Judaic.
The debate of God's existence scientifically is not valid to anyone of faith. However to argue that God is God and alive because the Bible says so is just as much a circular argument. An argument that would go round and round and round till both are arguing with yells and screams at each other.
What we Christians claim is written in history from men who actually lived with the Christ. We quote from reformed Rabbi's and intelligent Medical Doctors. Men like Paul who was called "Saul" , and men like Luke who was a professional doctor of medicine.
This is our source of our faith and it is backed up substantially by archaeological evidence, as well as historical works that corralate with the New Testament.
This does not matter in the end of the debate however. What matters is " do you have faith in God and His plan for your salvation"?
I'm sorry but I don't think that we can make it real for you, or a Hindu, or a Muslim. They themselves are makers of themselves.
I hope this helps you in your question.

Answer 7

Each religion has its own beliefs and paths to the One we Christians call God tho they know Him by other names.

When one has faith of God's existance, one doesn't HAVE to prove it. We just KNOW He is real and that the Bible is His Holy Word.

Since Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Me," that is good enough for me.

Also He died for the sins of all humanity. I don't know of any other "god" or "deity" who would be willing to put himnself on the line like that.

One cannot convince someone who does not believe in the existance of God unless the person asking feels the Holy Spirit within them convincing them.

Therefore, I will not put down another's beliefs. But for me, Christianity is the ONLY way.

Answer 8

People's souls don't need to be saved because no matter where we were born or live or what we believe to be our faith, something everyone is forgetting is that WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD!!!!God loves and God forgives EVERYONE. And when you take the mentality of "saving souls" out of the equation, fanatics seem to have very little to do with their time. It says in the Bible that we are to find God HOWEVER HE COMES TO US!Spreading the word of God is not for the common man because frankly, most of you are badly misinformed. Get a hobby that doesn't involve forcing others to change their core beliefs, if you think about it, that is against God as well. Sheesh!

Answer 9

I can point out evidence, that would satisfy a Hindu, not evidence that would satisfy a hard core atheist.

Evidence that Jesus Christ was more than a special person.
-Many of his disciples died, recorded gruesome deaths, as did many early disciples. Would many people of other faiths die horrible deaths like this. This is evidence of one of two things, Christianity is a death cult, or they had to have a strong conviction, because they were given chances to say "o it was all a joke he did not really do any miracles" yet they did not.
-Jesus acurately predicted the fall of Jerusalem (evidence is found of this prediction which predates the fall of Jerusalem by 20 years), though this may not seem like to wild of a prediction, the city of Jerusalem was almost invincible it had a prime location, where large scale Roman siege craft (that would be needed to breach the massive walls) would have had no way to get in. Jerusalem was the most fortified city in the Middle East at the time, and the chances of a successful Roman siege, much less the destruction of the entire city was very unlikely.
-The origin of most religions are not clear, and have very few resources dating back to the time of the origin. The first writings from Christianity came only a few years after Jesus' death, and the Acts of the Apostles were written only around 2 decades after Jesus' death, and 3 of the 4 gospels were written close enough to speak with eyewitnesses.
-These would be used to convert people who already believe in the abrahamic God (Muslims and Jews).
For people (such as Hindus) who do not believe in the monotheistic God I can give them this. (But still believe in the supernatural).
-What are the chances that a God of a seemingly insignificant group of people could survive in the Mediterranean world, without either extreme luck or some guidance. I mean the monotheistic God of Judaism survived, not the gods of the great empires of Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Babylonia, Macedonia, Phonecia, or Rome.
- This God has had more miracles done in His name, than any other deities. Dozens of miracles have been performed this very century some captured on tape, that have been done in his name.
For those that believe in reincarnation
-Reincarnation is a mute belief, as even if we were "reincarnated" having no remembrance of past-lives would make reincarnation similar to the atheist belief of existance terminating.

All hard core atheists could easily come to their own explanations for everything I have put up, so I would have to use some Intelligent Design stuff. But most are indoctrinated in their atheist (funny how they claim only the religious are brainwashed as demonstrated by communism atheists are more succeptible to brainwashing) beliefs, too much to even care. However, other religions are much more open-minded about this sort of thing, or are more "dillusional" if you like.

Answer 10

My only experience with something similar to this depended on "TIME"....

People watch people....they see how you live, they see and hear even what you don't realize they do....

If they feel "something different" from a Christian, then they will seek out answers about it...

If they see that your Faith is true, that you have truth about everything you say and do, then they will seek out answers as to why....

Have had many friends and aqauintances of mine change from their own different religions to mine without my having to say or do anything to instigate it, but by simply being the me they saw everyday at work, at play, shopping, etc.,.

Simply put WALK THE WALK NOT JUST TALK THE TALK

Answer 11

The word says if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say unto a mountain be tho removed and cast it into the sea.( A mustard seed is very small,but when it is planted it grows into a large tree and huge branches. The birds of the air and other creatures will come and rest on it.) Faith has to be developed by your experiences with Jesus, when you stick with it and things will come the good and the bad you began to develop and just like a strong tree you are not shaken when the storms comes. That is when others need that strength and they stand around you as you tell the stories of how your faith in Jesus, working the word changed your life!